HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0051) M&C 20-0340City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 05/19/20 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 20-0340
LOG NAME: 36MAEMSA ILA 2020
SUBJECT
Adopt Uniform Emergency Medical Services Ordinance and Authorize Execution of the Restated Interlocal Cooperative Agreement for Ambulance
Services by the Metropolitan Area Emergency Medical Services Authority d/b/a Medstar (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS)
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached Uniform Emergency Medical Services Ordinance; and
2. Authorize the execution of the attached Restated Interlocal Cooperative Agreement to be entered into with qualifying local governmental entities
for ambulance services to be provided by the Metropolitan Area Emergency Medical Services Authority d/b/a Medstar, an administrative agency,
in substantial form to the attached Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
In 1988, an administrative agency was created, pursuant to Sec. 791.013 of the Interlocal Cooperation Act through an Interlocal cooperation
agreement, called the Area Metropolitan Ambulance Authority d/b/a Medstar, to ensure the provision of ambulance service to the City of Fort
Worth. In December 1998, the City entered into a Council -approved Restated Emergency Medical Services Interlocal Agreement (M&C C-
17191) to further define the Authority's term of existence, makeup of the Board of Directors, requirements for Authority membership, financial
responsibilities and the Authority's duties and powers. Until 2005, Medstar provided ambulance service through a contractor, then due to
contractor default Medstar took over the direct operation of the ambulance service with the member cities providing support and cooperation in
the delivery of patient care through the members' cities respective fire departments.
In 2017, the current Revised Interlocal Cooperation Agreement and the current Uniform Ordinance was passed by the participating jurisdictions,
renaming the Authority to the Metropolitan Area EMS Authority (MAEMSA), establishing the First Responder Advisory Board (FRAB), providing
for clarification in the relationship between the MAEMSA Board and the Emergency Physicians Advisory Board (EPAB), allowing the Authority to
provide mobile integrated healthcare, and providing for other enhancements and improvements.
In 2018, the stakeholders determined that an established process was needed for input and action by the MAEMSA Board and EPAB related to
personnel decisions regarding the medical director. Following many months of stakeholder collaboration and input, staff recommends the
adoption of a Restated Interlocal Cooperative Agreement ("ILA") and a new Uniform EMS Ordinance ("Ordinance"), and copies of each are
attached.
The major changes in the Ordinance and ILA include:
1. MAEMSA Board:
• Expand the voting membership from a six member board of directors to nine members with EPAB having one additional voting member,
FRAB having two voting members (one of which is the Fort Worth Fire Chief), and a total of five members of the MAEMSA Board
representing the City of Fort Worth.
• The executive staff of the MAEMSA system that will be hired by the simple majority of the board and will include the medical director, CEO,
and general counsel. These positions will report directly to the board.
• The system medical director and the CEO will be non -voting members of the board.
• Non -voting members of the board will not have a fixed term of office.
• The board may add additional non -voting members as determined by a 2/3 majority.
• The Board is empowered to add additional voting seats in connection with the admission of new member jurisdictions.
• MAEMSA Board to adopt its own conflict of interest policy.
2. EPAB:
• Provides independent medical oversight to the system and is an advisory board to the MAEMSA Board.
• Voting directors must live, work, or have formerly worked in the service area, with preference to those who live or work in the service area.
• May add non -voting members with a 2/3 vote of its board.
3. FRAB:
9 FRAB may add non -voting members with a 2/3 vote.
4. Medical Director:
• May be an employee or contractor of MAEMSA.
• Responsible for the employees in the Office of Medical Director.
• Duties updated to align with state law and current practice.
5. Other:
• Annual Uniform Schedule of Pricing Options sent to the cities by MAEMSA will no longer be required.
• Defines the executive personnel hired by the Board — the Medical Director, CEO, and General Counsel — and the reporting structure, duties,
and procedures for hiring and firing these positions.
• Clarifies the ability of member jurisdictions to govern EMS standby care at special events in their jurisdiction.
Much of the Restated Interlocal Cooperation Agreement remains the same:
• The Authority maintains its status as the direct provider of ambulance services but continues to have the discretion to use a
subcontractor should the member jurisdictions so choose through their representatives on the Authority Board.
• The Authority will continue its current practices that enhance fiscal and operational transparency, including independent financial
audits on a yearly basis. The Office of the Medical Director will be part of the Authority budget and financial reports.
• The member cities continue to have discretion in providing subsidies to the Authority. The subsidy may be in any amount, with no
subsidy as a required option in the Interlocal Agreement.
• The Authority will continue to provide mobile integrated healthcare. The Authority is currently providing a number of programs under
this service, including 911 Nurse Triage and Home Health Partnership, and it will continue to do so.
• The Ordinance continues to carry a penalty of a Class C Misdemeanor for violations thereof. Under the Ordinance, it is unlawful,
among other things, to knowingly give false information to induce the dispatch of an ambulance or to use or cause to be used any ambulance
service other than the Authority (except in an expressly authorized manner). If found guilty of a Class C Misdemeanor for a violation as set
out in the Ordinance, a person shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 per violation.
The Restated Interlocal Agreement will be effective as of the date on which all participating jurisdictions have executed the Agreement.
A Form 1295 is not required because: This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education:
Metropolitan Area EMS Authority
FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that approval of these recommendations will have no material effect on City funds.
Submitted for City Manager's Office by. Valerie Washington 6199
Originating Business Unit Head: Jim Davis 6801
Additional Information Contact: Mark Rauscher 6803